The countdown to the craic is on as venues across Reading prepare to celebrate St Patrick’s Day on Monday.

Guinness will be flowing as the town comes alive with singing, dancing and traditional Irish music during the annual revelry.

Martin Neylan, landlord of The Claddagh Ring, in Pell Street, has planned a host of traditional Irish frivolities including a sing-a-long and dance to a traditional Irish Ceilidh session from 3.30pm onwards.

“St Patrick’s Day is about sharing Irish culture with the rest of the world,” he said.

“It’s always really good here and we get people of all nationalities coming in and putting on hats, singing, dancing and drinking Guinness, as they join in the fun.

“There’ll be a lot of Irish people celebrating all weekend which is why I’ve put the decorations up early.

“If St Patrick’s Day fell on the weekend then celebrations would begin at about 9am.”

Dan Daily, of the Reading Irish Centre, in Chatham Street, expects the town’s Irish contingent to knock off work at around lunchtime so they can make the most of the day.

He said: “It’s normally pretty busy here. We play traditional Irish music, have singing and dancing, and it’s always a very happy occasion.”

And O’Neill’s in Friar Street is expected to be filled to the rafters with one of the biggest town centre parties of the year from noon onwards.

Manager Declan Smyth said: “We’re expecting to have a great turn-out on St Patrick’s Day, just like last year.

“The pub is open late so that everyone can celebrate in style and as usual we have music and entertainment lined up, so the atmosphere will be electric.

“You might wake up on a Monday morning, but if you visit O’Neill’s you’ll be partying like it’s Friday night.”